Aurora Promenade CIP — Facade & Signage Improvement Grant Program
Get reimbursed for 50% of eligible facade and signage costs, up to $15,000 per property. This is a matching grant, so you pay first and get paid back after inspection.
“Private property owners and businesses can take advantage of the financial incentive programs contained in CIPs to achieve a range of community improvement goals such as improving property façades and redeveloping property.”
From the official program page
Before you spend a dollar
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything — starting early is the #1 way owners lose this funding.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You own a commercial property in the Aurora Promenade CIP area
- You are planning exterior facade, window, or signage upgrades
- You can secure approval before starting any work or spending money
Probably not the right fit if
- Your property is outside the designated Aurora CIP or BIA zone
- You have already started or completed the improvement work
- You are looking for funding that does not require prior approval
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a storefront refresh — new facade, paint and exterior lighting:
Project cost
$30,000
Program pays
$15,000
You pay
$15,000
That's the program's maximum — a bigger project works, and the amount above the cap is yours to fund.
That's work we build. Price my project like this →
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
50% of eligible costs up to $15,000/property (signage costs funded only up to $2,500). Companion Building Restoration, Renovation & Improvement grant: 50% up to $40,000.
What may be supported
- Replacement and rehabilitation of building facings/facades
- Windows and exterior building enhancements
- Exterior signage improvements (funded to a max of $2,500)
- Awnings and storefront improvements
- Building restoration/renovation (separate companion grant)
How applying works
Effort: mediumA city application with quotes/photos; approval before you start, then claim after completion.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the city's written pre-approval BEFORE starting
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Before you apply
Your application will likely need written quotes
Programs like this usually ask for written estimates for the work before they approve anything, and some require as many as three. BBN Labs works with you on this: we prepare a quote for the work this program funds — scope, costs and timelines you can put straight into your application. Free, no obligation.
Get my quote for this program →Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN designs and coordinates exterior signage upgrades to draw more customers inside, making the most of the up-to-$2,500 signage allowance.
- BBN coordinates qualified partners for facade rehabilitation, window enhancements, and awnings so you get a refreshed exterior without managing multiple contractors.
- BBN guides you through the application process and organizes your quotes to meet deadlines so you don't lose the funding.
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then you're reimbursed (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything — starting early disqualifies most of these.
- Area-gated to Aurora's designated CIP/BIA zone — confirm your address qualifies before you spend.
- Municipal funding is limited each year — confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
Area-gated and funding-limited, but a straightforward fit if your Aurora address qualifies and you apply before starting.
Related BBN services
Storefront Signs & Sign Boards
Sign concepts, mockups and measurements done right. Fabrication and installation quoted and managed for you.
Storefront & Facade Improvements
Facade refresh concepts, visualizations and contractor coordination, scoped the way municipal improvement programs expect.
Accessibility Improvements
Accessible websites, clear signage, and ramps or entrance work handled by licensed trades.
What you can combine it with
May combine with provincial/federal programs for the same project — we'll check what stacks.
Related programs
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated ; last verified today with the official source. Source: official program page.